Pressurized apparatus for injecting drying agent into rinse spray of dishwashing machine



1961 G. J. FEDERIGHI ETAL 3,011,

PRESSURIZED APPARATUS FOR INJECTING DRYING AGENT INTO RINSE SPRAY 0F DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Tl E5: l

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INVENTORS GEORGE J- FEDERIGHI TORE |I- I\IOP-EN ATTORNEYS v Dec. 5, 1961 Filed March 3, 1960 G. J. FEDERIGHI ETAL PRESSURIZED APPARATUS FOR INJECTING DRYING AGENT INTO RINSE SPRAY OF DISHWASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I v I I I I IlG-L 2 GEORGE ToRE INVENTORS J. FEDERIGHI H. NOREN ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1961 G. J. FEDERIGHI EI'AL 3,011,722

PRESSURIZED APPARATUS FOR INJECTING DRYING AGENT INTO RINSE SPRAY OF DISHWASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 3, 1960 GEORGE J- FEDEFUGHI G1 5- BY Tome' H. NOREN ATTORNEYS United States Patent PRESSURIZED APPARATUS FOR INJECTING DRYING AGENT INTO RINSE SPRAY 0F DISHWASHING MACHINE George Joseph F ederighi and Tore H. Noren, both of 1350 Donner St., San Francisco 24, Calif. Filed Mar. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 12,592 Claims. (Cl. 239-61) The present invention has particular reference to improvements over the apparatus for injecting drying agent into rinse spray of dishwashing machine, as shown in our copending application, Serial No. 715,934, which was filed in the United States Patent Oflice on February 18, 1958 (now Patent No. 2,941,725, dated June 21, 1960).

In the above-mentioned copending application, we disclose a base provided with a coupling member to which the outlet of a pressurized container may be removably coupled. Moreover, the base is formed with a restricted passage into which a liquid drying agent will be automatically expelled from the container, when the latter is connected to the coupling member. This restricted passage is connected by a pipe to a separate control unit, whereby the drying agent will be forced into the control unit by the pressure in the container. However, a normallyclosed check valve is provided in the control unit to arrest further forward flow of the dryingagent until this check valve is opened. Various means are illustrated in the copending application for opening the check valve at the proper time, whereupon the drying agent will be conveyed to and mixed with hot rinse water flowing to rinse spray pipes of a dishwashing machine.

In the copending application, the control unit is made separate from the base and is spaced therefrom in the direction in which the liquid drying agent flows toward the rinse spray pipes.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described, in which the base to which the pressurized container is coupled has a flow-control unit housed within the base, thus simplifying the construction of the apparatus, making it more compact and materially reducing the cost of manufacture.

As a still further object, we propose to convey the drying agent from the flow-control unit directly to the rinse spray pipe of the dishwashing machine for mixing with and discharging with the hot water sprays. It has been found from actual practice that this arrangement will prevent any slug of the drying agent left over from a previous rinsing operation from being discharged into the rinse sprays during a subsequent rinsing operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

For a better understanding of our invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of our pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into the rinse spray of a dishwashing machine;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing apparatus, parts being shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the base and part of its attachments, partly in section, and illustrating the flow of the drying agent;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the dispensing apparatus as seen from the horizontal plane IVIV of FIGURE 2; 1

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane VV of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of the pressurized container, partly in section; and I 3,011,722 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the pressurized container.

While we have shown only the preferred forms of our invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description Referring to the drawings in detail, we have illustrated a dishwashing machine indicated generally at A in FIG- URE 1. As disclosed therein, upper and lower rinse spray pipes 10 and 11, respectively, are arranged in the rinsing compartment B through which trays C may be advanced. These trays have dishes D racked therein, which are subjected to hot water rinse sprays 12 and 13 that issue from the pipes 10 and 11, respectively.

It will be noted that a pipe 14 leads from a source of hot water to a normally-closed solenoid valve E. The latter is connected by a pipe 15 to a vacuum breaker F. As shown in FIGURE 1, a pipe 16 leads from the vacuurn breaker to a coupler G. Both of the rinse spray pipes 10 and 11 are connected to this coupler so as to receive. hot water therefrom, when the solenoid valve E is opened.

As each tray C is advanced through the rinsing compartment B, the tray will close a switch H so as to connect the solenoid valve E to a source of current through wires 17. When the solenoid valve E is thus energized it Will be opened, and hot rinse water will flow through the pipes 14, 15, and 16 to the coupler G, and thence through the spray pipes 10 and 11 for discharge over the dishes D to rinse the latter.

The parts thus far described form no part of our invention, except insofar as they cooperate with the parts now to be set forth. The apparatus for automatically dispensing a desired quantity of a liquid drying agent into the hot rinse water for mixing therewith is designated generally at J in FIGURE 1. The purpose of delivering the drying agent to the rinse sprays 12 and 13 is to break the surface tension of the rinse water that otherwise would cause the water to adhere to the washed dishes. Any water drops will flow 015? the dishes, leaving the latter dry and unspotted.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2, 5, and 6, it will be seen that a pressurized container K has been provided having a liquid drying agent L under pressure therein. Aerosol or other pressure-producing medium is used to maintain a constant pressure, for example twentyfive to thirty pounds, within the container K, until substantially all of the liquid drying agent L has been dispensed. This pressure is considerably higher than that maintained in the water supply pipe 14.

In its structural details, the container K has a threaded outlet neck 18 fashioned with a discharge opening 19 in its lower end, which is normally closed by a springpressed valve 2&1 (see FIGURES 5 and 6). The dispensing apparatus I includes a base M provided with a coupling member N, the latter defining a threaded inlet 21, into which the outlet neck 18 may be removably coupled. Moreover, the container K has a cylindrical flange 22 that is concentric with the outlet neck 18. This flange is adapted to slidably and rotatably contact with the outer protruding cylindrical portion 23 of the coupling member N, when the container K is connected to the 'bear against the upper end of the protruding portion 23 of the coupling member, when the container is secured in place (see FIGURE 5).

Thus the liquid drying agent 3 L is precluded from escaping between the coupling member N and the flange 22, when the container valve 20 is unseated to allow the drying agent to be expelled with the inlet 21 of the coupling member.

As clearly shown in FIGURES 2, 3, and 5, the coupling member N and the base M are formed with intercommunicating passageways 25 and 26, respectively, the former being connected with the inlet 21 of the coupling member. A stationary pin 27 is mounted in the inlet 21 in a position to automatically project upwardly through the discharge opening 19 to unseat the valve 20, when the container K is coupled tothe member N. The opening 19 is large enough to permit the drying agent L to by-pass the pin 27 and flow into the inlet 21. The pressure of the liquid drying agent L will cause the latter to pass through a screen 27a and into the passageway 25 (see FIGURES 3 and We provide a flow-control unit designated generally at P which is housed within the base M. It includes an outlet tube 28 having a threaded shank 29 that is screwed into a bore 30 that extends upwardly into the lower end of the coupling member N (see FIGURE 5). As shown in FIGURES 2, 3, and 5, the base M has a passageway 31 that communicates with the passageway 26 in the manner herein described. The coupling member N is provided with'a passageway 32 that connects the passageway 31 with the bore 30 in which the threaded shank 29 is screwed.

It will be apparent that the liquid drying agent L will flow from the inlet 21 through the passageways 25, 26, 31, 32, and bore 30 to the outlet tube 28. The latter is provided with a normally-closed spring-pressed check valve 33, which will arrest further forward flow of the liquid drying agent until this check valve has been opened by the flow-control unit P.

As to this flow-control unit, it includes a plunger 34 that is reciprocably mounted in a bore 35 in the base M. This plunger is provided with a pin 36 at its top, which is disposed to unseat the check valve 33, when the plunger is raised. The base M defines a water-receiving compartment 37 across which a diaphragm 38 is mounted. This diaphragm forms part of the flow-control unit,P and has the plunger 34 secured thereto so as to move therewith, when the diaphragm is flexed. A coil spring 39 surrounds the plunger 34 and is positioned to yieldingly urge the diaphragm downwardly (seeFIGURE 2).

A sealing gasket 34a is carried by the plunger 34 and I place, the base M has been formed with an annular seat 40 against which the marginal rim of the diaphragm is I clamped by a cylindrical sleeve 41, the latter being formed as part of a cover plate 42 that is mounted across the lower end of the base M. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, a plurality of cap screws 43 are provided for removably holding the plate 42 against the base M in liquidtight relation therewith.

It will be observed that a water-conveying pipe 44 leads from the coupler G in the hot water supply pipe 16 of the dishwashing machine A to the compartment 37 of the base M so that the pressure of the water will flex the diaphragm 38 upwardly to unseat the check valve 33. When this happens, the liquid drying agent will flow from the outlet tube 28 and enter a discharge passageway 45 fashioned in the base M (see FIGURES 2, 3, and 5). A discharge pipe 46 is connected to the passageway 45 to receive the liquid drying agent flowing therefrom.

I Regarding the discharge pipe 46, it has sufficient length for extending to and communicating with the rinse spray pipes and 11 at the coupler G (see FIGURE 1'). The discharge pipe 46 has a section housed within and extending along the length of the water inlet pipe 44 to a point .of discharge in the coupler G. This housed section of 4 a the pipe 46 includes a flexible tube 4611 that will facilitate its installation (see FIGURES l, 2, and 4). p

'In order to prevent water from flowing through the discharge pipe 46 from the interior of the coupler G and entering the passageway 45, we have provided a springpressed check valve 47 in the pipe 46 where the latter is connected to the passageway 45 (see FIGURE 2).

The coupling member N is accommodated in a bore 48 which extends downwardly into the base M from the top of the latter, and is removably retained therein by a screw 49 extending upwardly from a bore 50 provided in the bottom of the base (see FIGURE 2). A bleed opening 51 places the bore 50 in communication with the atmosphere, thus permitting the diaphragm 38 to flex upwardly, when water is delivered to the compartment 37 under pressure.

Thus the outlet tube 28, plunger 34, and the diaphragm 38 are arranged in axial alignment with the coupling member N, and all are accommodated in intercommunicating bores fashioned in the base M. This arrangement will simplify construction and produce a compact structure. Y

Turning now to FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, it will be noted that the passageway 26 of the base M defines an upwardly extending frusto-conical shaped portion 26a through which'the liquid drying agent will flow in an upward direction before reaching the outlet tube 28 of the how control unit P. The base M may be made of suitable transparent material, such as plastic, so that the frustoconical shaped portion 26a may be observed.

In FIGURE 3, a graduated scale has been represented by the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 as extending along the height of the frusto-conical shaped portion 26a. A weighted ball 52 is disposed in this frusto-conical shaped portion so as to gravitate to the lower end therof during non-flowing periods of the liquid drying agent L. However, this ball is adapted to be raised in direct proportion to the speed of flow of the liquid drying agent in an upward direction. Particular attention is called to the fact that the larger end of the frusto-conical shaped portion 26a is disposed uppermost, whereby the peripheral space between the ball 52 and the wall of this passageway portion will progressively increase as the ball is raised to thus allow a greater quantity of the liquid drying agent to by-pass the ball.

Both FIGURES 2 and 5 disclose a filter-53 as being arranged in a bore 54 in the upper part of the base M, this filter being disposed over the top of the frusto-conical shaped portion 26a. We have inserted a plug 55 into the bore 54, and this plug is formed with a by-pass passageway 56' that extends from the filter 53 to the passageway 31 and through which the'liquid drying agent will flow. A flow-regulating valve 56 is adjustably threaded into the plug 55, whereby the quantity of the liquid drying agent reaching the outlet tube 28 may be regulated. The valve 56 may be adjusted so that the ball 52 will be elevated to a predetermined graduation on the scale 1-4, when the proper amount of the drying agent L is being delivered to the rinse sprays 12 and 13 during each rinsing cycle of the dishwashing machine.

Thebase M is mounted on a casing'Q, with the pipes 44 and 46 extending downwardly through a slot 57 provided in the top of this casing (see FIGURE 2). The pipe 44 extends through an opening 58 fashioned in the side of the casing. In order to permit the flexible tube 464 to be connected to the discharge pipe 46, we have provided a detachable coupler fitting 59 in this pipe (see FIGURES 1, 2, and 4). The base M may be secured to the casing Q by certain of the screws 43.

In FIGURE 7, we disclose a slightly modified form of a pressurized container K for holding the liquid drying agent L, wherein the threaded neck 18' is provided with a solid end wall '60. The spring-pressed valve 20, as shown in FIGURE 6, is omitted in FIGURE 7. i It will be apparent that when the neck 18' is screwed intothe inlet 21 of the coupling member N, the stationary pin 27 will puncture the end wall 61), and will thus allow the pressure in the container K to expel the liquid drying agent L into the inlet 21 of the coupling member. In all other respects, the modified form functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

We claim:

1. In a pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into a rinse spray of a dishwashing machine, a dispensing apparatus comprising: a base provided with a coupling member; the coupling member defining an inlet adapted to receive pressurized liquid drying agent; the coupling member and base being formed with intercornmunicating passageways that connect with the inlet of the coupling member, whereby the pressurized liquid drying agent will be discharged into said passageways; a flow-control unit housed within the base, and including an outlet tube disposed within the base; the outlet tube communicating through additional passageways with the passageway in the base so as to receive liquid drying agent therefrom; the outlet tube being provided with a normally closed check valve arranged to prevent discharge of the liquid drying agent from the outlet tube, when this check valve is seated; the base being fashioned with a discharge passageway through which the liquid drying agent will flow, when the check valve in the outlet tube is unseated; the flow-control unit further including a plunger reciprocably mounted in the base, and having a pin disposed to unseat the check valve in the outlet tube, when the plunger is moved in one direction; the base defining a water-receiving compartment across which a diaphragm is mounted; the diaphragm forming part of the flow-control unit and having the plunger secured thereto so as to move therewith, when the diaphragm is flexed; a waterconveying inlet pipe leading from a hot water supply pipe of a dishwashing machine to the compartment of the base so that the pressure of the hot water will flex the diaphragm in a direction to unseat the check valve in the outlet tube; a discharge pipe connected to the discharge passageway of the base to receive liquid drying agent flowing from the outlet tube; and a spring-pressed check valve provided in the discharge pipe to prevent flow of liquid from the discharge pipe to the discharge passageway of the base.

2. The pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into a rinse spray of a dishwashing machine, as defined in claim 1; and in which the discharge pipe has sufiicient length for extending to and communicating with a rinse spray pipe of the dishwashing machine, whereby the liquid drying agent will be conveyed from the flowcontrol unit directly to the rinse spray pipe, and thus preventing any slug of the liquid drying agent left over from a previous rinsing operation from being discharged into the rinse sprays during a subsequent rinsing operation.

3. The pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into a rinse spray of a dishwashing machine, as defined in claim 2; and in which the discharge pipe has a section housed within and extending along the length of the water-conveying inlet pipe to a point or discharge.

4. The pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into a rinse spray of a dishwashing machine, as defined in claim 1; and in which the outlet tube, the plunger, and the diaphragm are arranged in axial alignment with the coupling member, and all are accommodated in intercommunicating bores fashioned in the base.

5. The pressurized apparatus for injecting a drying agent into a rinse spray of a dishwashing machine, as de fined in claim 1; and in which said passageway of the base defines an upwardly extending frusto-conical shaped portion through which the liquid drying agent will flow in an upward direction before reaching the outlet tube of the flow-control unit; the base being transparent so that said frusto-conical shaped portion may be observed, and having a graduated scale extending along the height of said frusto-conical shaped portion; a weighted ball disposed in said frusto-conical shaped portion so as to gravitate to the lower end thereof during non-flowing periods of the liquid drying agent; the ball being adapted to be raised in direct proportion to the speed of flow of the liquid drying agent in an upward direction; the larger end of said frusto-conical shaped portion being disposed uppermost, whereby the peripheral space between the ball and the wall of said frusto-conical shaped portion will progressively increase as the ball is raised to thereby allow a greater quantity of the liquid drying agent to by-pass the ball.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,228,205 Dwyer Jan. 7, 1941 2,592,885 Fox et al. Apr. 15, 1952 2,770,242 Tubiolo Nov. 13, 1956 2,843,137 Federighi July 15, 1958 2,941,725 Federighi June 21, 1960 

